“A vast understatement,” Kate replied dryly. She gave a disgusted snort. “I cannot believe he truly wishes a meek mouse for his bride. I will have to show him what a mistake he would be making.”
Nell looked at her curiously. “What do you intend to do, dear?”
“Why, find candidates who match his requirements. I predict he will grow weary of them in short order.”
Kate spent the next two hours drawing up plans and making lists of possible candidates. She decided on two who fit Deverill’s definition of mousy, with three more who better matched her own specifications, and a few less appealing prospects thrown in for good measure. By the time her brother and his wife arrived, Kate was far enough along in her planning to lay it aside for the time being and go outside to meet them.
Since Maura had fair hair and Ash had dark, they made a striking couple as they descended from their carriage. Maura, one of her dearest friends, embraced Kate warmly. Ash likely would have done the same, if not for his infant son sleeping soundly in his arms.
Named Stephen after Ash and Kate’s late father, the baby was not yet two months old, and his parents doted on him.
Kate properly—and quietly—admired her young nephew, and after settling her guests comfortably in the drawing room and arranging for tea, brought them up to date about her intentions to find Brandon Deverill a bride in exchange for his escort to France.
Ash showed his amusement with an appealing grin. “Deverill willingly means to subject himself to your machinations?”
“What machinations?” Kate asked innocently.
“You know precisely, minx. We endured your meddling for years.”
“And you know that I had the best of intentions. I would do it all again without question. Need I remind you that my meddling turned out extremely well for you, dear brother?”
Maura intervened. “I for one am very glad you persevered, Kate.” She gave a fond glance at her husband. “Ash is also, even if he is averse to giving you credit.”
“Loath as I am to admit it,” Ash said with fabricated reluctance, “I am profoundly grateful.”
Kate was beyond thrilled to see her beloved brother and dearest friend so much in love, but she was willing to concede her methods might not have been the easiest to abide.
Just then their son woke and started fretting, so Ash turned the infant over to Maura, but he continued addressing Kate. “I see Bella arranged to be out of town at a crucial time. You do realize she is setting you up with her own machinations?”
“Would Lady Isabella do that?” Maura asked.
“Oh, yes,” Ash replied emphatically. “She has advocated for love matches among our clan for far longer than Kate. In this case, she wants Deverill for Kate.”
“I am not entirely naïve,” Kate said with a grimace. “I know Aunt Bella is trying to throw us together.”
“How does it feel to be the victim for a change?”
“You have a point.” It was easier to press for a love match when the target was someone else, especially since her own situation was far more complicated than she had ever anticipated.
When her brother smiled, Kate settled for changing the subject. “I told Deverill that he could rely on you to instruct him about a nobleman’s duties and obligations. You will aid him, won’t you, Ash?”
“Yes, for Bella’s sake, and for yours as well. I know how much this trip to France means to you.”
“Thank you. Deverill is headed to Kent tomorrow, and it would help greatly if you would consider accompanying him.”
“You don’t ask for much, do you?”
“It is hardly anything at all
. A few days of your time, no more. And you will agree because you are the best of brothers.”
Ash chuckled, and Kate beamed back at him in return, secure in the knowledge that their good-natured ribbing was done out of love.
She deeply cherished her family. As orphans raised together, with ties of blood and loss, the Wilde cousins had come to love each other dearly and were fiercely loyal to one another. In truth, their family tragedy had brought them closer together. Moreover, they had learned to live as though every moment counted—because it did.
Their closeness was also why she was so adamant in her matchmaking efforts. She wanted her loved ones to find happiness.
It had taken Ash many years to finally come around to her viewpoint. She could take comfort in his happiness, even if her own quest for love might prove hopeless.